Onigbinde advises Rohr

Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde has said preparations for Nigeria’s Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cameroon should begin immediately.

Nigeria will take on Cameroon in August 2017 after grabbing maximum six points from their first two matches in the qualifying series. The Eagles beat Zambia 2-1 in their first Group B match in Ndola in October before defeating Algeria 3-1 on Saturday in Uyo.

Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, told our correspondent that the Eagles should not get carried away with their victory over Algeria.

“It was a lovely performance the Eagles put up against the Algerians on Saturday. They neutralised the potent Algerian attack and that should be commended,” the former Shooting Stars coach said.

“But while we are getting excited over the victory, we should not forget that the journey has not ended yet. I believe it has just begun. The team still needs at least two more wins in their remaining four matches to guarantee them a place in Russia.”

He added, “The next game against Cameroon may seem far but it is close. The boys should keep up their form and the coach (Gernot Rohr) should begin preparations for the match from now. There are areas he will need to work on and the players needed for those areas should be tested during the windows through friendly matches. Cameroon are one of Nigeria’s bitter rivals in African football and their failure to register a win in their first two matches will make the match one to look forward to.”